Recall measure moves forward

October 16, 2009|By Chicago Tribune

After months of delay, the Illinois Senate approved legislation long coveted by Gov. Quinn that will ask voters if they want the ability to recall wayward governors.

The recall legislation isn't the version Quinn wanted, but it's the best that could be negotiated among lawmakers as ethics reforms were under discussion this year following the impeachment and ouster of the indicted ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Under the measure, voters will be asked on the November 2010 ballot to approve a constitutional amendment allowing recall.

If voters approved next year, they would permit Illinois citizens to launch a petition drive to recall a future governor. But several additional hurdles must be cleared, including getting authorizing signatures from as many as 10 senators and 20 representatives.